Work Stress & Relaxation Tips for Your Mental Wellness

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Workplace changes can often be good for businesses because it can make you feel satisfied, joyful, and with less work worries. However, when the workplace changes for the worse, it can make you feel uneasy. For example, if you notice more employees leaving, resigning, or retiring from their job positions; It can be concerning as an employee. Furthermore, when you notice that more employees are getting hired with less work experience or qualifications for the job; You might think you might be next in losing your job position. Yet, you might continue working there but the new employees that were hired can make your work feel uncomfortable and filled with tension.

As well as being more aware of what is going on in your workplace, you might constantly worry about your job. These changes can also make you feel out of place in your workplace. Subtle changes such as the coffee machine malfunctioning more often, less access to the lunchroom microwave, and the use of the facilities are being more restrictive, and other changes can be too stressful to manage. In addition, the new employees can also make their own clique making it difficult for you to feel accepted, appreciated, and liked. The time spent working can feel exhausting, lonely, and frustrating when you are stuck in a job with this working environment.

The worst part is that your mental and physical health can also be in jeopardy because of the mistreatment from the new employees, new boss, new supervisors, and new business manager. Furthermore, when co-workers are inconsiderate with bad attitudes, slam doors, and yell at all employees; It is frustrating, and it is not an easy decision to leave the job where you have spent years developing your work skills. There are employees that take the work credit to feel recognized and to make them to be liked by their boss, supervisors, or business managers. Other employees pretend that they know everything about the job and get angry at other co-workers because they feel intimidated by them. Although not all employees are like this, it can make you analyze what is going on in your job and it can make you want to withdraw from certain co-workers.

It is necessary to protect your mental and physical health during work hours and after work. In every job, you might find coworkers that take the credit for every single job task done in the business even if one or more co-workers accomplished it. As well as co-workers that constantly complain about the job. There are also some business managers that might complain every day about their boss and about employees with more work experience. Unfortunately, not all employees follow work ethics, courtesy at work, or accountability for their mistakes at work. 

If for some reason, you cannot leave this job, there are ways to manage this work stress until you find a better job. Begin by not taking work issues at home, especially if it makes you feel angry and worry too much. As well as having an escape plan so you can leave your job on time and leave job tasks pending for the next day without worrying about it. Next, practice self-control and authenticity when you are confronted by co-workers who are straightforward and without consideration of you and others. Nonetheless, here is a brief list to help you relax during stressful situations in your workplace.

1. Do not participate in gossiping and instead practice counting meditation while you walk away from the gossiping. 
2. Do breathing techniques, stay quiet, and think pleasant thoughts about your plans after work. 
3. Have a work journal to doodle and to write positive work affirmations during your work break or after work. 
4. Bring your coffee, your tea, or your juice and your snacks instead of using the office breakroom supplies, beverages, and pastries. 
5. Practice mindful eating during your lunch break. 
6. Adjust your time in the office by adding short breaks in between job tasks as you practice box breathing or counting meditation with breathing techniques. 
7. Practice walking meditation before your lunch break and after work. 
8. Have reminders on your cellphone to take your work breaks and set it to vibrate. 
9. Keep a work journal at home to express your feelings. 
10. Speak to your partner about your job stress and read company job reviews before applying for your new job. 
11. Look at family or pet pictures on your cell phone during your work break, especially if you are not allowed to have personal family or pet pictures on your desk. 
12. Call a friend and have small conversations during your lunch break to reduce your work stress. 
13. Type and keep working positive affirmations on your cell phone calendar to remind you that everything will be better. 
14. Listen to music, read comic strips, do crossword puzzles, word searches, or other activities to keep your mind busy without thinking of the coworkers that make your job seem meaningless. 

Disregard comments but do write down the comments, inappropriate behavior gestures, and report them to Human Resources. If it is a big company where you work, ask for a job transfer. Additionally, transition to a different job position and keep practicing self-improvement with your career. Practice self-reflection, self-care, gratitude, and do not neglect your self-worth as an employee. Focus on your health during work hours and evaluate what you need to do to leave the unfriendly working environment.

If you must vent to someone about work issues or co-worker’s bad behaviors, find someone you can trust to speak about it and preferably someone that you do not work with or is in another job that is like your career. Do not participate in complaining with co-workers especially if your boss will not do anything about the job situation or work environment. Avoid gossiping no matter what coworkers say to get attention, seek approval, or look trustworthy in front of their boss. Seek professional therapy, counseling, and find a better job to feel appreciated, valued, and respected. Here are websites with more information about relaxing when you are stuck in an unfriendly working environment. 

How to Relieve Job Stress After Work:

How to Relieve Job Stress After Work

20 Ways to Stay Calm and Collected at Work:

20 Ways to Stay Calm and Collected at Work

* Courtesy Pexels Photo by cottonbro studio